[JanH]

I just recently bought a little notebook to carry to keep track while I am out. I have also, in the last couple of days set up a spreadsheet in Excel with the help of Hubby cos I didn't know my way around it. Also, I have set a budget per day for Hubby and me to spend on those fluctuating costs like groceries and gas. There is a set amount per month in the spreadsheet, but by setting a daily amount for all spending outside of fixed bills, we tend to think twice. The leftover for the day is put into accounts at the end of the day to put on debt. If we go over, it comes out of the next day's amount and we don't spend the next day. So far, it seems to work. We've stayed within the budgeted amount. And saved some, too. We tend to use debit cards so the receipts really help, too. So I guess the answer really is: a notebook, a spreadsheet, and a fixed number in our head.